Liquid filling machine



Aug. 6, W46.

R. E. J. NORDQUIST LIQUID FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 7, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet l INVENToR ATTORNEYS R. E. J. NoRDQulsT l; @,232 LIQUID FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 'l'. 1940 10 Sheets5hefet 2 ATTORNEYS A. 6, w46. R. E. J, NoRDQUlsT 294,232

LIQUID FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept.''7, 1940 lsheets-sheet 3' ATTORNEYS Augv 6, 1946 RyE. J. NoRDQUnsT y LIQUID FILLING MACHINE 1o snee'ts-sheet 4 @VCT-0? Filed Sept. 7. 1940 K Aug. 6, i946.

R. E. J. NORDQUIST LIQUID FILLING MAGHINE 1o sheets-sheet s Filed sept. 7, 1940 l INVENTOR M ATTORNEYS Aug. 6', 1946., l R. E. J. NoRDQulsT 29409232 LIQUID FILLING MACHINE I Filedsept. 7. 1940 1o sheefs-sneet 6 v ea INVENTOR ATTORNEYS BY @Lg/m 7 I A 6, i945 R. E. J. NoRDQUlsT $405932 LIQUID FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 7, 1940 l0 Sheets-Sheet 7 236 d/ Zd? vf i /74 76 INVENTOR ATTRNEYS Aug 6 w45 R. E. J..NoRDQU1s1 2,405,232 LIQUID FILLING MAHINE Filed Sept. '7, 1940 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTon ATTORNEYS Au@` 6, 1946. R. E; J. NoRDQUlsT LI'QUID FILLING MACHINE Filed sept. 7', 1940 1o sheets-'sheep 9 /0/ ZO Y ATTORNEY n Patented Aug. 6, i946 2,405,232 LIQUID FILLING MACHINE Ronald E. J.

Nordquist, Maplewood, N. J., or to American Can Company,

assign- New York, N. Y.,

a corporation of New Jersey Application September 7, 1940, Serial No. 355,845

3 Claims.

mensions and to ll into them diierent volumes of the same liquid or of diierent liquids having different viscosities.

In recent years the packaging of milk and milk products in bre containers buttermilk, cream, heavy cream, etc. In order to meet the demands of the trade these products are packed in 'different sizes of containers which include half=pint, pint, quart and two quart containers. It is manifest that such be obtained.

However, such a Wide range of milk products and container sizes makes necessary considerable The instant invention contemplates overcoming this diniculty by vproviding a universal ma chine which may be rapidly changed over from one kind of milk to another and from one size of container to another so that the entire range of milk products and containers may be used in the same machine, thereby giving vthe smallerA thereof. Referring to the drawings: i

elevation of a machine emwith parts'broken- 2 change from one size of may be quickly made.

Another object is the provision in such a machine of devices for measuring and filling liquids in volumes corresponding to the Volume of the container to receive 'the liquid.

Another object is the provision in a machine of this character, of devices for controlling the volume of the liquid measured in respect ltoits viscosity so that different kinds of liquids., may be accurately measured and filled into the containers.

Another object is the provision in such a machine of instrumentalities for controlling the liquid nlling time so greater volumes than others may have suii'i'ila'nt` time to receive their full volume of liquid.

Numerous other objects and advantages of container to another invention will be apparent as vit is better under-f stood from the following description, which,v

taken in connection with the accompariyingf"f-ev a preferred embodiment drawings, discloses Figure 1 is a front bodying the instant invention, away and other parts shown in section;4 f

Fig. 2 is a top plan View taken substantially along a plane indicated by the broken line '2-22 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away and other parts shown in section;

Fig. 3 is an end view ofthe machine as viewed from the left in Fig. 1, with `parts vbroken away; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the movable parts in a ldiierent position for the larger container shown .in this View;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section taken substantially along the broken line 5 5 in Fig. 2 and showing the machine parts in position for the larger `container illustrated in this View, with parts broken away;

Fig. Gis an enlarged fragmentary detail section taken substantially along view of the upper portion of the machine and taken substantially along a plane indicated by the line 7 7 in Fig. 2,

taken substantially along the line 8-8 in Fig. 2, the movable parts of the machine being set to accommodate the larger size container shown in this View;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged datan of the dial shown at the upper right away;

infFig. 7, with parts broken that containers lfiav'i'ng-r1 the line 6--6 in Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a part elevation and part sectional Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line Ill- I in Fig. 9;

Fig. 1l is a transverse section taken substantially along the line H-II in Fig. 2, with parts broken away;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line l2--I2 in Fig. 5;

Fig, 13 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line I3--I 3 in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a container and of the centralizing device at the sealing station; and

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of a container and a sectional view of the centralizing, device showing how the latter ts containers of diierent cross sectional sizes. '1

As a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the drawings illustrate' a universal-machine for filling milk products into square fibre containers of the character disclosed in United States Patent 2,085,979,'issued July 6, 1937, to J M. Hothersall, on Container. Such a container, designated by the letter Ain Figs. 2 and 14, is formed with a filling and dispensing opening B located inthe top ofthe container. When the container is filled the opening B is closed and sealedV with a plug closure element C which is hingedly connected to the container top adjacent the opening.

Upon entering the machine the containers A are in upright position, with their lling openings B uncovered or open and with the closure elements C standing upright adjacent the openings. 'I'he containers enter in a continuous procession and are individually separated from the processional line and are advanced through the machine in timed order. During this advancement each container'is filled, its closure element C is pressed down into the filling opening B to close and seal it; and it is then discharged from the machine to any' suitable place of deposit.

The containers A are introduced' into'the machine by way of an endless belt conveyor ll (Figs. l, 2, 3, 4 and 5) the machine end of which takes over a driving pulley l2. The pulley is mounted on a short shaft bearings I4 formed on a biiurcated yoke I6. The yoke is formed on the upper end of a vertical stem I1 carried in a bracket I8 bolted to a. frame lwhich" constitutes the main frame of the machine.

In order to accommodate diierent heights of containers in the' machine the belt conveyor VIl is adapted to be read'ly raised or lowered into the proper position and then it may be'locked against shifting. For this purpose the yoke stem bracket I8 is provided with a removable locking pin 22, the inner end of which yfits into holes 23 formed in the yoke stern l1'. There are preferably three of these holes, one for a tall quart size container, one for a shorter and smaller cross-sectional pint size container and one for a still shorter half-pint size container having a crossv section equal to the pint size.

-Tosetthe belt height the locking pin 22 is removed, the yoke stem manually raised to the desired height and the locking pin replaced, its inner end being inserted into the hole 23 correspondingvto this height. In the drawings Figs. 4 and 5 show the belt conveyor set for the quart size container and Figs. 1 and 3 show it set for the half -pint size container. i

The belt conveyor drivingpulley I2 is rotated by a sheave 25 which is secured to the outer end of the pulley shaft I3. This sheave is rotated by an endless driving belt 23 which takes over the sheave and also takes over an idler sheave 21, a driving sheave 28 and a belt tightener sheave 29.

The idler sheave 21 is carried on the outer end of a stationary arm 32 which is loosely mounted on the pulley shaft I3. The arm is keyed against movement by a tongue and groove connection 33 with the adjacent bearing I4 of the pulley yoke I6.

The driving sheave 28 is mounted on a short pin 35 (Fig. 2) which is carried in a boss 36 formed on a side of a column 31 bolted to the main frame I9. The sheave is keyed by a tongue and groove connection 4l to a sprocket 42 mounted on the pin 35 adjacent the sheave. This sprocket is rotated by an endless chain 43 which :takes .over a driving sprocket 44 mounted on a drive shaft 45 which constitutes the main drive shaft of the machine. The drive shaft is journaled at its ends in bearings 46 formed in the main frame I9, This drive shaft may be rotated in any suitable manner.

The belt tightener sheave 29 (Figs, l and 3) is carried on a stud 5I secured in a belt tightener lever 52 which is loosely mounted on a short shaft 53 journaled in a long bearing 54 formed as a part of a slide bracket 55 carried in a ver-V tical slideway 56 formed on a side of the main frame I9. Gibs 51 secured to the main frame hold the bracket in its slideway.

The bracket 55 may be manually raised and lowered to bring it inte position corresponding with the yoke I6. For this purpose there is provided a handle 58 which is carried on a pivot pin 59 secured in a lug 50 formed on the main frame IS. A link BI connects the handle with the bracket. A removable pin 52 is also provided for I3 carried in af pair of spaced 26 may insertion into holes 63 in the frame which corresponds to the different heights of containers.

The tightener lever 52 is formed with a handle Bil by which it may be manually shifted to draw the belt 2B taut after positioning of the yoke I5 and bracket 55. The lever is also formed with an arcuate slot 65 in which a locking stud 65 operates. This stud is threaded into the bracket 55 and is formed with a handle 61 for tightening it against the lever to hold the latter in an adjusted position,

Thus when the conveyor II is raised or lowered to accommodate a desired height or size of container, any slack or tightness in lthe driving belt be quickly compensated for by manipulation of the belt tightener lever 52. Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings show two dilerent positions ofthe lever and the belt for two different heights of containers.

The containers A entering the machine on the belt conveyor Il are maintained against lateral displacement by pairs of upper and lower spaced andparallel side rails Thus for short containers such as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the upper guide rails 58 alone are used to guide the containers. For taller containers such as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 both upper and lower rails are used.

One set of these rails is formed on a vertical stationary bracket E9 which is secured to a horizontal support bracket 10 bolted to a side of the main frame I9. The other set of guide rails is formed on a movable bracket 1I which slides in a tongue and groove' connection 12 with the bracket 10.

Hence for containers of different cross sections theY movable bracket 1I may be shifted relative to thestationary bracket 69 so that the space between the guide rails will be proper to accom- 58 (Figs. l, 2, 3, 4 and 5).`

capaces modate thev desired container. A setscrew 13 threaded in the base of thel movable bracket is provided to lock the bracket in position after it is located. The innerend lof the setscrew is adapted tov engage in spacedv holes formed in the support bracket to hold the movable bracket against shifting. A

Adjacent the inner end o1v the guide rails 68 movement of the contiguous containers A enter# ing the machine is arrested by an end stop 15 (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5) which is bolted to the top of the main frame I 9.

vancement. It is this separation operation that marks the beginning of individual container travel through the machine in timed order.

Separating of the containers is preferably effected by a channel shaped pusher head 18 which is formed with a front wall 19 and a pair of laterally extending side legs 8|, 82. The head is carried on the inner end of a swinging arm 83. The arm is mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft 84 which is carried in the column 31. The shaft extends below the bottom of the co1- umn and carries on its lower end a cam arm 85. The kcam arm carries a cam roller 86 which operates in a cam groove B1 formed in a barrel cam 88 mounted on themain drive shaft 45.

Hence as the cam 88 rotates with the drive shaft the arms 83, 85 on shaft 84 are rocked rst through a forward or pushing stroke and thence on a return stroke. On the forward stroke of the arm 83 the pusher head 18 engages against the outer side of the container which is then against the stop 15 and pushes it out of the line of containers on the conveyor belt In thus separating the inner container from the others the pusher head moves into the path of travel of the incoming containers and thus holds them back against advancement until the innermost container is completely In order to accommodate containers of different heights and different cross sections the f tion and is surrounded by a compression spring' 93 which keeps the head in tight engagement with the arm wall section 52. The head is held in place by a tongue and groove connection 94 formed between the head front wall 19 and the arm wall section 92.

With this construction the pusher head 18 may be pulled outwardly against the compression spring 93 and rotated on its pivot stud 9|. has one position as shown in Fig. 4 or it may be inverted into a second position as shown in Fig. 3.

When the pusher head 13 is in the position shown in Fig. 4 it accommodates the tall or quart size container. For such a container the greater portion of the head extends'below the pivot stud 9|. Thus'the entire hold-back face 19 of the headV engages the incoming containers while yand is received on -a holding them back and head constitutes the rating the containers.

When the pusher head 18 is in the position shown in Fig. 3 it is adapted to .the pint and also thefhalf pint lsize containers. These containers are preferably of equal cross section but the one is twice as tall as the lother but not as tall as the' quart size container. Hence Aonly a portion of the front Wall '|9Jof `the inverted pusher head /noW engages thecontainers for'holding vthem back and the side leg 82 which is lspaced further away from the pivot studSI than the leg 8|, now constitutes the container separating wall. y Hence the stroke of the head arm-83 is the same for all containers. The difference in cross section of the containers is compensated for by the difference in location of the pusher legs 8|,v 82 relative to the pivot stud 9 I. I l A container A pushed'outof the line l'of the fincoming containers slides `o the conveyor "belt II stationary table ||l| which extends the full length of the machine. The table, though generally of a stationary-character, is movable vertically to bring it into the-plane of the upper run'of the conveyor belt I This isfto accommodate the different heights and ysizes of containers brought into the machine by lthe 'con' veyor. n

The table is mounted on the upper-end of a-vertical rod |02, whichis 'carried inV upper and lower spaced bearing bosses |03, |04 (Figs. f3V and 5),

the side leger of .the pushing element for sepaformed inthe main yframe ls. After the teneis located relativeto the conveyor belt `I I, it is locked in position by' a pin IE5 which when in place :extends vthrough a`- hole in Ythe 'boss |03 rand vprojects into a similar Ihole |01 formed in the rod [02. There are preferably three of these holes |91,V one for each height of container to be accommodated. Y Raising and lowering of the table to bring the proper hole I 01 into register with the locking pin I (i5l in the boss I 03 is preferably effected by a lever I'|| (Fig. A3). The lever is mounted on a pivot pin I|2 carried in a lug I|3 formed in thek main frame I9. One in a slot ||5 formed in the vertical rod |02. The other end of the lever is formed `with a handle I I 6 for manual actuation.

The weight of the table is partially counterbalanced by a tension spring I I1. One end of the spring is secured onto the main frame I9 while the other end is engaged into a hook II3 secured in the lever III adjacent its handle IIS.

A container A received on the table IGI is pro- J. pelledthereacross, first along a curved path of travel and thence along a straight path of travel toward the end of the machine, this being at the the container it is guided by an inner curved and straight guide rail |2|, an outer curved guide rail |22 and an outer straight guide rail |23. The guide rail |2| is xed and is bolted to the top'of the table I 0| The curved guide rail |22 is formed the container entrance stop rality of feed dogs I 21-secured at spaced intervalsY along their lengths. erates over an` idler The upper conveyor |25 op'` sprocket |3I'and a driving end of the lever is engagedV the guide rail |23 are 'ad-A and parallel endless chainV sprocket |32. Idler sprocketV |3| is mounted ,on the upper shouldered and flanged endof a vertical sleeve |43 rotatably carried on a stationary shaft |35 which is disposed adjacent; the container feed-in end of the machine. The lower end of the shaft extends down through arropening |36 in the table and is secured in a block |31 bolted to the top of the main frame I9.

The driving sprocket |32 is bolted to'an enlarged shouldered section of a vertical s1eeve|4| whichis keyed to a vertical drive shaft |42 disposed adjacent the opposite end of the machine. Thedrive shaft is journaled in a longk vertical bearing |43 which` extends down through an opening |44 in the table |0| and which at its lower end is formed with a flange |45 which is bolted to the main frame |9 adjacent anopening |46 formed therein. Y

The sleeve |4| is supported on top, of the vertical bearing |43 and for this purpose the sleeve is formed with ya bearing seat |48 which retains a ball bearing |49. The ball bearing surrounds the` drive shaft and is interposed between the sleeve seat and the top of the shaft bearing and permits free rotation of the sleeve. The lower portion of the sleeve, indicated by the numeral |50, extends down adjacent the outer surface of the shaft'bearing |43 in rotating engagement therewith.

Rotation of the vertical drive shaft |42 and the parts carried thereon is preferably effected by an indexing plate |55 whichis secured to the lower end of the shaft. The plate carries a plurality of cam rollers |56 which are spaced around the outer edge of the plate. These rollers are adapted to be individually engaged in a cam groove |58 of a cam |59 mounted on and rotating with the main drive shaft 45.

Hence on each revolution of the cam |59 the cam groove |58 engages and moves a cam roller |56v and thus shifts'the plate |55 and its vertical drive shaft |42through a partial rotation which is equal to the distance between the rollers on the plate. It is this intermittent motion that operates the chain conveyor |25 and the result is that the container is propelled along its course in a step-by-step manner.

The lower chain conveyor |26 is also operated in synchronism with the conveyor |25 by the same driving mechanism just described but is arranged so that it may be raised or lowered relative to the upper conveyor and with the table ||l| for theV accommodation of the different height' containers. For this purpose the lower conveyor |26 operates over an idler sprocket |62 and a driving sprocket |63. f y

The idler sprocket |62 is slidably mounted ron the-vertical sleeve |34. The hub of Ythe sprocket is formed with ashoulder flange |65 (Fig. 5)

which engages against the top'of the table ||l| and which rotates 4within a retaining recess formed in a split ring |66 bolted to the table. Hence the sprocket is free to rotategbut is retained againstdisplacement from the table. 'Ihus the sprocket will move with the table and slider along the sprocket sleeve |34 when the table is raised or lowered as hereinbefore explained. Y

In a similar manner the driving sprocket |63 of thel lower conveyor |26 is arranged to move with the table 16|. This drivingA sprocket bolted to a tubular hub |63 which'surrounds the lower portion keyed to this sleeve portion |50 and therefore rotates with it 4but is adapted toslide .on itin a vertical dretion. The lower endl of the hub carl63 isA ries a projecting flange ring |69 which is seated in a recess |1| formed in the table |0| 'around its opening |44. The flange ring is retained against displacement from the table in the recess by an annular gib or ring|12 which is bolted to the table and which surrounds the hub |68.

As the container A, advancing along the table |0| moves adjacent the driving sprockets |32, |63 of the respective conveyor chains |25, |26 it slides off the table |0| and moves onto a rotating disc |14 where it is received on a lifter pad |15 of a milk filling mechanism located at this end of the machine. The disc |14 surrounds the tubular hub |66 and is secured to it for rotation theren with. There are preferably four lifter pads |15 and they are disposed in openings |16 formed in the disc.

Each lifter pad |15 is formed on the upper end of a vertical stem |18 carried in a bearing |19 on a lug |8| formed on the tubular hub |68. The lower end of the stems |18 ride on a ring cam |84 whichrests on the table |8| in an annular recess |85 formed therein. The cam is formed with an inwardly extending flange |86 which is engaged by the gib |12 and is thereby held against displacement. With this construction the lifter pads |15, the disc |14 and cam |84 all move with the table |0| when it is raised or lowered to accommodate different heights or sizes of containers.

The lifter pad disc |14 is rotated intermittently in time with the chain conveyors |25, |26 and this timing is preferably such that a container A comes into full position on its lifter pad just at the termination of one of these intermittent advancements. The lifter pad raises the container vertically upward into milk lling position, as shown in Figs. .l and 5. This lifting is effected immediately upon the container being received on the lifter pad and while the disc |14 and the conveyors |25, |26 are stationary. Filling of the container thus begins as soon as possible and this increases the filling time.

This immediate lifting of the container while the container advancing parts of the machine are stationary is brought about by a shifting or partial rotation of the ring cam |84 in its seat |85. 'I'his brings the high portion of the caminto operation against the then stationary lifter pad stem |18 thereby lifting the pad to its fullV height in one sweep. This is brought about by a segment gear |9| (Figs. 12 and 13) which meshes with-a gear segment |92 formed on the outside of the ring cam |84. The segment gear |9| is formed on the end of an actuating arm |93 mounted on a vertical shaft |84. Shaft |94 is carried in a pair of spaced bearings |95 formed in the main frame I9. A cam arm |91 is mounted on the lower end of the shaft |94. This arm carries a cam roller |98 which operates in a cam groove |99 (Fig. 5) of a barrel cam 20|. 'I'he` cam 20| is mounted on the main drive shaft 45 adjacent its bearing 46 this being shown at the right in Fig. 5.

The cam 20| is shaped to shift |84 at the proper time and hold it in this shifted position until the lifter pad disc |14 begins its next partial rotation. The ring cam |84 then shifts back into its original position in time with the movement of the disc. raised lifter pad stem |18 on the high portion of the cam.

The suing of the raised container with itsV the ring cam ThisV maintains the |14. At the end of this curved path of travel the lled container is lowered to the level of the disc by the same ring cam |84 while the disc is stationary and on the same shifting movement that raises another container into filling position. Thus a maximum lling time is obtained in a minimum space.

Provision is made for making this cam shifting mechanism effective for all heights of containers. For this purpose the segment gear arm |93 is slidablydisposed on its actuating shatt |94 and moves on a long feather or key 203 carried in the shaft (Fig. 12). The hub of the arm is formed with a groove 204 which accommodates a bifurcated end 205 of a rigid arm 206 which extends out from the table Hence when the table |0| is raised or lowered to accommodate the height of a container A, the rigid arm 200 carries the segment gear arm |03 with it, sliding it alongy its feather 203 in the actuating shaft |94 and holding it in operating position when the table is locked in place or adjusted position.

Filling of the milk contents into the raised container A while it is on its lifter pad is pref-k erably carried out by way of a lling head 2| (Figs. '7 and 8) which is disposed above the container. This lling head is of the character disclosed in United States'Patent 2,144,628, issued to J. M. Hothersall, on Filling machine. There are a plurality of these filling heads, one for each lifter pad |15 and they extend down from the bottom of a milk reservoir 2|2 which is secured to the top of and which rotates with the vertical sleeve |4| on the shaft |42.

Each filling head 2I| includes a tubular member 2|3 which is secured in an opening-2|4 formed in the bottom of the tank 2|2. The lower end of the member is closed by a funnel shaped cap 2|6 having a vertical rim 2|1 which extends up inside the member. The cap is formed with a dependingv cylindrical nozzle 2 I0 which extends into the dispensing opening B in the container A when it is lifted into filling position by its lifter pad |15r as hereinbefore explained.

Delivery of the milk from the nozzle 2|8 is controlled by a valve mechanism which includes a valve plunger 22| normally disposed within the nozzle as shown in Fig. 8. The valve plunger is formed on a vertical valve stem 222 which extends up above the top of the tank, The upper end of the stem is fastened, by way of a universal .ioint 223. to an arm 224 (Fig. 7) formed on the upper end of a vertical actuating rod 225 which is located outside the tank. This actuating rod is carried in suitable bearings which are formed on the outside of the tank 2|2.

The lower end of the actuating rod 225 carries a cam roller 226 which operates in a cam. groove 221 of a stationary ring cam 228 secured to the inside of a shield 22S which extends around the lling mechanism. The shield is preferably supported on suitable brackets secured to the machine main frame I9. Thus as the filling head travels with the sleeve 14|. and shaft |42 the cam roller traverses the cam groove 221 and this raises and lowers the valve stem 222 andthe attached valve plunger 22| in time with the other moving parts of the machine.

Before the nozzle valve is opened, a predetermined charge of milk in the tank 2|2 is measured out by a cylindrical measuring element 23| (Figs. 7 and 8) which is located in the lling head 2| The measuring element surrounds the valve stem 222 and extends down into the tubular member 2|3. The element is preferably straight'and is open at both ends. The lower end of the element fits snugly within the rim 2|1 of the head cap 2 6.

The upper end of the measuring element 23| is secured ina movable bracket 234 which is provided with a screw cap 235. The bracket is mounted on a vertical rod 236 which is located outside the tank 2|2. The rod is carried in a pair yof spaced bearing lugs 231, 238 formed on the outside of the tank.' Between the bearings a collar 24| is threaded on the rod 236 and this collar carries a cam roller 242 which operates ona ring cam 244 secured to the inside of the shield 229.

Thus as the filling head 2| rotates with the column |4| inside the shield 229, the cam roller 242 traverses the cam track of the cam 244, During its rotation around the column and prior to the opening` of the valve 22|, the cam 244 raises the measuring element 23| within the head so that the lower end of the element is above the rim 2|? of the head cap 2|5. This action permits the milk in the tank 2|2 to enter into the measuring element and ll it to the level of the milk in the tank., The measuring element then moves down into its original position with its lower end inside the rim 2| 1 and this isolates the milk Within the measuring element from the milk within the tank.

The specific volume in liquid measure confined within the measuring element 23| is controlled by a measuring block 241 which lits snugly within the upper portion of the measuring element. Thisblcck surrounds a vertical tube 248 formed integrally 'with the Acap 235 and extends down into the measuring element below the level of the milk in the tank 2|2. The tube is formed with a pair of oppositely disposed slots 249 which are located a predetermined distance above the milk level in the tank.

Hence when the measuring element 23| is in an up position and as the milk flows into it, the milk level rises up into contact with the bottom of the measuring block 241- and also rises in the tube 248 to the level of the milk in the tank. When the measuring element moves down the block 241 forces the milk further up into the tube above the level in the tank and causes some of it to overflow out of the tube slots 240. This milk flows out of openingsV 25| in the block and through slots 252 in the measuring element and thus returns to the tank. When the measuring element comes to rest in its lowermost position the quantity of milk confined within the measuring element up to the level in the tube 248, this being at the level at the bottom edge of the slots 249, such amount of milk is a predetermined measured quantity which is the exact amount to be filled into the container A when the valve 22! in the nozzle 218 is opened.

In Fig. 8 the drawing shows the measuring blockY 241' in position for measuring one quart liquid measure for the quart size container A shown on the lifter pad |15. For other sizes of containers such as the pint or the half-pint (shown in Fig. 7) the measuring block is adapted to be manually shifted down into the measuring element to its proper position for confining the desiredquantities of milk within the measuring element.

To eiect such a purpose the measuring block 241 is carried on a. vertical rod 254 which extends up through one side of the block and up through a support tube 255 secured in the cap 235 in an olf-center position. The rod extends above the support tube and is secured to a sleeve 256 which surrounds the tube. Near the bottom the sleeve is formed with a pair of slots 251 which are adapted to accommodate a removable spring hair pin 258. This hair pin extends through the slots and engages into notches 259 formed in the outer surface of the tube 255.

There are three notches 259, an upper notch for the quart size container, an intermediate notch for the pint size container, and a lower notch for the half-pint size container. Thus by removing the hair pin and sliding the sleeve 256 up or down on the tube 255 to bring the sleeve slots 251 into line with the proper notch 259 and reinserting the pin, the block 241 may be positioned in the proper place toy accommodate a desired container.

When the measuring block 241 is adjusted for either the pint size container or for the half -pint size as will be seen from the position of the notches 259 in Fig. 8, the top of the block will be below the tube slots 249. Hence when the measuring takes place for a pint size container milk discharging from these slots will flow down over the top of the block and fall into the milk in the tank 2|2. In the case of the half-pint size container the top of the block will be below the level of the milk in the tank. Hence while being measured for this size container milk discharging from the slots 249 will falldirectly into the milk in the tank. In both of these cases the. openings 25| in the measuring block will be in a closed oil position below the slots 252 in the measuring element 23| and therefore will not be used. These openings are not necessary for the pint and halipint sizes ofv containers since discharged milk flows out over the top of the block.

Since the machine is adapted for use also with different kinds of milk or liquids of varying viscosity, provision is made f or a fine adjustment of the measuring element to insure accuracy of lill. Liquids `such as cream, chocolate milk, buttermilk and heavy cream are of heavier consistency than ordinary milk and hence a slightly greater quantity adheres to the measuring elements when the liquid is drained from them and it is for this purpose that the measuring element is set slightly differently for each kind of milk. This setting insures that the exact liquid measure of the liquid is lled into the container.

The exact setting is made possible by a plurality of adjustable setscrews 262 (Figs. '7, 8, 9 and 10) which are threaded in radial position in a dial wheel 263 carried on a pivot stud 264 formed on the bracket lug 231 of the tank 2|2. The Wheel is frictionally underv pressure of a compression spring 265 disposed within a recess 266 formed in the wheel. The spring is held in place by a large headed screw 261 which is threaded in the outer end of the pivot stud. The wheel is locked against movement by a pin 268 which is secured in the bearing lug 231 and which extends into a hole 269 formed in the dial wheel. There are a plurality of these holes, one adjacent each setscrew 262.

Hence by pulling the dial wheel outwardly against the pressure of its spring 265 the pin 268 may be disengaged from its hole 269 and the wheel may be thereupon rotated to any desired setting and reset in locked position (that is, with pin 268 in the desired hole 268) for operation under the control of the proper setscrew. Thus when the measuring element 23| moves down into measuring position a pin 21| in a lug 212 formed on the measuring element bracket 234,

engages the positioned setscrew 262 and thereby stops the measuring element in the proper vertical position for the exact desired liquid measure.

There is one of these setscrews 262 for each kind of milk above mentioned and one for each size of Icontainer. In order to identify the screws a dial 215 is formed on the wheel 263 and this dial is divided into three sections according to size of container, namely, a quart section 216, a pint section 211, and a half-pint section 218. Each section is sub-divided under the headings, milk, cream, choco for chocolate milk, bu. milk for buttermilk, and H cream for heavy cream and there is a setscrew 262 adjacent each of these headings. Each screw for each grade of milk and container is preferably initially set by trial and experiment and afterwards is locked against movement by a headless setscrew 219 which is threaded into the wheel at an angle to the adjustable screw.

After a container A has been filled with its contents the lifter pad |15 on which it is supported is lowered to the level of the lifter pad disc |14 as hereinbefore mentioned and is lthen ready for sealing. The filled container is removed irom its lifter pad by the engaging conveyor dogs |21 and is then propelled along a, straight line path of travel toward the entrance end of the machine.

During this latter movement the container is guided by a iixed inner guide rail 28| (Figs. 2 and 6) which is bolted to the vertically movable table |0| and by a movable guide rail 282 which may be shifted laterally to accommodate the different sizes of containers. The movable guide rail 282 is formed with bracket lugs 283 which exltend under the conveyor table |8| and are bolted to the table by cap screws 284. A slot in the lugs provides for shifting the guide rail in setting it for different sizes of containers.

As the filled container moves along this straight path of travel between the guide rails 28|, 282 it rst passes under a closure element closing rail 286 (Figs. l and 2) having an upturned end 281 which is disposed above the path of travel of the containers. The rail is fastened to a. bracket 288 which is secured to the shield 229.

Hence as the container moves under the rail its opstanding flap or closure element C is turned down against the top of the container. This action presses the plug section off the closure element tightly in place in the filling and dispensing opening B.

Closing of the flap C is followed by the expanding of the flap plug section to seal the flap and to prevent its accidental opening during further handling. For such expanding the container moves into a sealing station where the sealing operation is performed by a sealing head 28| (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) while the container is held in proper position by a centralizing device 282.

The centralizing device 292 includes an H- shaped member 295 which is disposed adjacent the path of travel of the containers. Member 295 is rotatably mounted on a short shaft 2816 carried in a pair of substantially vertical side arms 291. The arms are mounted on a Divot pin 298 which extends through a Spacer bearing 289 formed in a horizontal bracket 36| which overhangs the path of travel of the containers. The bracket is secured to the upper end of a cylindrical column 302 bolted to the top of the machine main frame I9.

The centralizing member 295 is adapted to be periodically rocked into and ourt of the path ofV 13 travel of the containers for the centralizing operation. This rocking motion is brought about by a yieldable link which includes a vertical rod 305 having its lower end secured in a pivot block 306 mounted on a pivot stud 301 carried in a lug 308..formed on the side arms 291. The upper end of the rod extends through the outer end of a horizontal bracket arm 3H and is held against disconnection therefrom by a large head screw 3|2 which is threaded into the end of the rod.

yieldable portion of the link.

The bracket arm 3|| is secured to the upper end of a vertically movable bar 3|8 which is carried in the column 302. 'I'he lower end of the bar extends below the columnr and is formed witn a slot 3|!! (Fig. 5) in which operates the outer end of a leg 32| of a bell crank 322. crank. is carried on a situcl 323 which is secured mainV shaft 45.

In the different sizes of containers herein considered, the closure elements C and the lling openings B are the same size and are all in the with the wing 33| iby a cross web 331.

ing member then may be locked in this position by a. removable pin 34| which is carried in a .hole 342 in one of the side arms 291 and projects into an aligning hole 343 formed in the sidev wing 33|.

dogs |21, the side wings 33|, 332 straddle and engage the Isides of the container and hold it against movement longitudinally of the machine. The cross-web 333 also engages against the outer side of the container and forces it over against the inner guide rail. 28| and against a top guide 345. While the container is so held the sealing operation is per formed.

For the pint size of container the centralizing to bringY member 295 is rotated on its shaft 296 the cross-web 334 into a vertical position adjalocked in position ofwhich now engages inr a hole 341 formed in the member side wing 332. Since the pint size container is the same cross section as the halfpint size the side 'wings 33|, 332 readily straddle the container and centralize it under the head laws to contract. Then 29|. The cross-web 334 however engages the container lower down, 'since the container is longer than the half-pint size, so that it will be nearer the middle of the container.

For the quart size of container the centralizing member 295 is rotated to bring the cross-Web 331 into a vertical position adjacent they path of travel of the containers and the setting pin 34| is locked in a hole 348 in the side wing 332. This brings the olset section 336 of the side wing 3,32 in po-v sition to accommodate the greater cross section of the quart size container. The cross-web 331 is also nearer the pivot shaft 266 for this same purpose.

The sealing head 29| is preferably of the character disclosed in United States Patent 2,170,821, issued August 29, 1939, toJohn M. Hothersall et al., on Can closing machine. Such a head includes a round head body 35| (Fig. 6) which carries a plurality of radial slides 352 having depending 'segmental expandingjaws 353 formed on their inner ends. The slides are held in place against the bottom of the head by a bottom plate 354. The inner edges of the slides are formed with taperedV surfaces 355v which are pressed against a central tapered wedge 356 by a coiled tension spring 351. The spring encircles the head and exerts its pressure directly against the outer endsof the slides.

TheY tapered wedge 356 extends up into a recess 36 IV formed in a stem 362 which projects upwardly from the head body 35|. The stem is disposed within a bore 364 of a shouldered sleeve 365 Which is secured in the centralizing` device bracket arm 3| l. The wedge is also formed with a supporting rod 361 which extends up through the sleeve and is held stationary by a lock screw 366 and a vertical adjusting screw 369 which are threaded in the sleeve. A compression spring 31| coiled around the rod and' interposed between a shoulder of the sleeve and the top of the head body stem 362 provides a flexible connection between the sleeve and the head body.

The normal position of the sealing head above the path of travel of the containers and the top of the head is then above the upper edge of an opening 312 in the bracket 33|. When the bracket arm 3|| moves down to bring the centralizing member 295V into container centralizing the top of the container. This positions the contracted jaws 353 within the plug section of the container closure element C.

Continued downward movement of the bracket arm 3H compresses the spring 31| and forces the wedge 356 down alongside of the tapered surfaces 355 of the slides 332. This moves the slides outwardly against the resistance of the encircling spring 351 and thus expands the jaws 353. The J'aWs press against the side Wall of the plug section of the closure element C and thereby form an outwardly projecting bead D (Fig. 6) which locks the closure element in sealed position.

This terminates when the bracket stroke, the wedge the sealing operation and is first raised to permit the the head body is lifted free of the container. The latter may theny be discharged from the machine.

The conveyor |25 and its feed dogs |21, upon their next intermittent movement, advance the sealed container along the table |0| and deposit arm returns on its upward it on a rotating disc 315 (Figs. 2 and 1l) disposed adjacent the table. The top surface of the disc is flush with the top of the table. The disc' issecured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 316 which is carried in a bearing 311 formed as a part of the slide bracket 55 (see also Fig. 1) so that the disc will be raised and lowered with the entrance belt li when the latter is shifted to accommodate the machine to different heights of containers.

The disc 315 is rotated by a bevel gear 38| which meshes with and is driven by a bevel gear 382 carried on the gear shaft 53. The shaft 53 carries a gear 383 which meshes with and is driven by agear 384 formed as a part of the belt tightener sheave 29.

Hence as the disc rotates it carries the sealed containers away from the conveyor |25. The containers move between a pair of outer curved guide rails 385, 386 and a curved extension 381 of the inner guide rail 282 and also an inner guide rail 388. The outer guide rail 385 is secured to the slide bracket 55 and the outer rail 386 is fastened to a bracket 39| bolted to the slide bracket 55 so that these guide rails will shift with the disc when the latter is moved to accommodate different heights of containers.

The inner guide rail 388 (see also Fig. 6) is se cured to a bracket 392 which is mounted in a slideway 333 formed in the top of the main frame I9 so that it may be shifted laterally to accommodate containers of different cross sections. A spring held pin 394 in the bracket locks in one of two holes 395 formed in the slideway to -retain the bracket in an adjusted position.

The sealed containers are discharged from the disc 315 to any suitable place of deposit preferably by an endless conveyor belt 396 (Figs. l and 2). The belt is adapted to carry away the containers from the machine in two different directions if desired. For this purpose the belt may extend longitudinally of the machine as shown in full lines in Fig. 2 or it may extend laterally of the machine as shown in dot and dash lines in the same gure.

When the discharge belt 396 carries the containers longitudinally of the machine, its machine end takes over a pulley 391 which is disposed under the disc and is mounted on a short stud shaft 398 held in a bearing 399 formed in the bracket 39|. The pulley is driven by a bevel gear 482 which is carried on the shaft 398 and which is driven by the gear 38 I.

When the belt 396 carries the containers away from the machine in a lateral direction it operates on and takes over a pulley 483 (Fig. l) which is carried on the gear shaft 53. In this position of the belt the outer curved guide rail 386 may be removed and other guide rails substituted to direct the containers from the disc onto thebelt.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may bemade in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A machine for nlling liquids into containers Y lling means,

of,V varying size comprising,` liquid filling means, a horizontal table disposed below said filling means forv receiving empty, containers to be filled, a rotatable disc supported by said table for receiving containers therefrom, lifter elements sup,- ported by said table and bodily rotatable with said disc, said lifter elements having means for elevating the same relative to the disc, cooperating endless conveyors disposed in vertically spaced substantially horizontal planes above said table forV advancing said containers in spaced relation on said table toward said disc and filling means, one of said conveyors being xed against vertical movement and another of said conveyors being supported by said table, `means for driving said conveyors and for rotating said disc, and common means for vertically adjusting said table with its supported disc and conveyor relative to the filling means to compensatefor containers of varying size to be filled.

2. A machine for filling liquids into containers of varying size comprising, liquid filling means, a horizontal table disposed below said filling means for receiving empty containers to be filled, a rotatable horizontal disc supported by said table for receiving containers therefrom, a plurality of lifter pads supported by said table and bodily rotatable with said disc, said lifter pads having means for elevating the same relative to the disc, a pair of cooperating endless conveyors disposed in vertically spaced substantially4 horizontal planes above said` table and passing around the axis of said disc for advancing said containers in spaced relation on said table toward said disc and the upper of said conveyors being fixed against vertical movement and the lowerof said conveyors being supported by said table, common means for intermittently driving said conveyorsand ,for intermittently rotating said disc, and common means for'vertically adjustingr said table withits supported disc and lower conveyor relative to the filling means to compensate for containers of varying size to be filled.

3. A machine for filling liquids into containers of varying size comprising, a frame, liquid filling means carried by said frame, a horizontal table movably supported by said frame and disposed below said filling means for receiving empty containers to be filled, a rotatable disc supported by said table for receiving containers therefrom, lifter elements supported by said table and bodily rotatable with said disc, saidlifter elements having means for elevating the same relative to the dise, cooperating endless conveyors disposed in vertically spaced substantially horizontal Aplanes above said table for advancing said containers in spaced relation on said table toward said disc and filling means, one of said conveyors being `fixed against vertical movement and another of said conveyors being supported by said table, means for driving said conveyors and for rotating said disc, and common means for vertically adjusting said table with its supported disc and conveyor relative to the iilling means to compensate for containers for varying size to be iilled, said adjusting means comprising a lever pivoted to said frame and engaging said table, and spaced means on said frame and table respectively forl removably locking the table in vertically adjusted position.

RONALD E. J. NORDQUIST. 

